Travel chance of a lifetime

Thursday, March 17, 2011

By Melonie Roberts

One Cassville woman has the chance of a lifetime to experience the business and cultural environments of three major cities.

Robin Hurley, a student at Crowder College, was inducted into the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society in October of 2010 and was subsequently selected as a delegate for the International Scholar Laureate program. She now has the opportunity to travel to Washington D.C., New York, N.Y., and Los Angeles, Calif.

"We'll start in D.C. with lectures," Hurley said.

The group will then take in a business dinner with local entrepreneurs, tour the U.S. Capitol, explore the Smithsonian Museums and the National Mall memorials.

The next stop on the tour will be New York, where the group will be escorted to the ringing of the bell at the NASDAQ stock market followed by a tour of the Museum of American Finance. They will also make stops at Ellis Island, the Statue of Liberty, the Immigration Museum and the Empire State Building and enjoy a Broadway show.

The final leg of the tour will take the group to Los Angeles, Calif., where participants will experience more of a cultural tour along the Hollywood Walk of Fame, followed by visits to the famous Kodak and Grauman's Chinese Theaters. They will also visit Santa Monica Pier and Universal Studios, winding up with a shopping trip on Rodeo Drive.

"I've raised about $1,000 so far," Hurley said. "I've also put in a request for financial assistance."

Hurley needs to raise about another $1,000 before being able to make the trip, which takes place from June 12 to June 23.

"This is the only opportunity I'll have to make this trip," Hurley said. "I'm graduating next year."

Hurley is looking forward to seeing many of the nation's historical sights in Washington D.C., and learning about the Immigration Museum as well.